I won't belabor the fact that the proposed building is not simply a mosque (although it does contain worship space), nor that within the same radius of Ground Zero there are lots of possibly not very savory businesses.
Muslim believers and worshippers have every right to build their building. There are a number of constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms involved, not the least being the freedom of religion. It is simply wrong for anyone to try to prevent their doing what they propose.
That said, I have to say that, for them to wish to do what they are doing—certainly with full knowledge of Americans' feelings about the area and what happened there—is insensitive at best and provocative at worst.
So I am saying, they should not want to do this, but if they press ahead anyway, we have no right to stop them.
Here is a link to a very good article on the subject, with which I agree:
http://www.aolnews.com/opinion/article/opinion-whos-being-insensitive-about-the-ground-zero-mosque/19606975
copyright (c) 2010 by Richard Stein
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I agree. It would be great to see tolerance shown near a site where none was shown on 9/11/01. It would also be great to see the beginning of a healing process too. Perhaps the devastation felt by so many in the city that never sleeps proves too much a challenge for such a project at the present day. I believe the president is trying his best to show tolerance and be fair but there are obstacles first and formost with politics. There was a movie that came out a long time ago called "Crash" that had to do with bias, abuse, and mistrust amongst other things. The movie showed how distorted views and prejudices could become and how tensions could escalate out of control spilling over to disrupt and overtake society in an American city. There aren't easy answers in a situation as this but I sure hope enough fair minded people from all sides can come to terms and come together in New York and elsewhere. Sooner or later I'm hoping to see a return of tolerance and diversity appreciation in our land long known for multicultural diversity and prospects of freedom for all.
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